Whoopi Goldberg surprised her costars and the studio audience on The View by defending President Donald Trump’s decision to attend Game 3 of the NBA Finals.
Trump is also expected to watch the New York Knicks play at Madison Square Garden on Monday, June 8.
Goldberg, who typically refers to the president as “You Know Who,” played a clip of Stephen A. Smith and Donny Deutsch calling on both Trump and New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani to watch from home.
While the audience applauded their take, Goldberg had a different view.
Jinxing the game
Whoopi Goldberg doesn’t believe ‘anything can jinx anything.’ By: The View/YouTube
“I’m sorry. Trump and Mayor Mamdani are Knicks fans and have been. They’re New Yorkers,” Goldberg said. “And you can’t — there’s nothing either one of them can do to change what’s happening in this city for this team.”
“Can they jinx us?” Sunny Hostin asked.
“You know what, I don’t think anything can jinx anything. I think these guys are on a mission!” Goldberg replied, earning applause from the audience.
“They’re like the Blues Brothers: They’re on a mission from God! And they have been winning and doing everything, and you know, you could be [doing something crazy] up in the box, and ain’t nobody paying attention!” she exclaimed.
True New Yorkers
Ana Navarro argued President Donald Trump has forfeited his right to call himself a fan of New York sports. By: The View/YouTube
If Alyssa Farah Griffin were still in the White House, she would likely give Trump the same advice as Smith and Deutsch. “If I were advising him, I would be like, ‘Do not go,’ because if they lose tonight, everybody is going to blame Trump!” she said.
Hostin agreed, adding, “The jinx! The jinx!”
Ana Navarro argued Trump has forfeited his right to call himself a fan of New York sports. “He was a New Yorker, but because they hate him so much here, and because he’s fleeing the taxes, he’s a Floridian,” she cracked.
Goldberg still had Trump’s back, though. “I was a Californian! I was from California,” she exclaimed. “I went to the Lakers games. I have always been, at my core — because I’m from here — I have always been a Knicks fan. And when you have always been a Knicks fan, it doesn’t matter where you live!”
Good energy toward the Knicks
Whoopi Goldberg touched on the ‘logistical nightmare’ of having the president inside Madison Square Garden. By: The View/YouTube
The hosts also touched on the “logistical nightmare” of having the president of the United States inside Madison Square Garden for an NBA Finals game.
“If I was as big as them, I would still be going,” Goldberg said, to which Sara Haines quipped, “You’re Whoopi Goldberg! You are bigger!”
Goldberg motioned toward the rafters, imagining where Trump will be seated. “And all we need to concentrate on is putting our energy — and good energy — towards them, towards the Knicks. That’s what this is about. And that’s what all of this is about,” she said.
Ramped up security
President Donald Trump previously said New York Knicks owner James Dolan personally invited him to a playoff game. By: ZUMAPRESS.com/MEGA
Trump previously said New York Knicks owner James Dolan personally invited him to a playoff game and that he was especially interested in seeing the Knicks reach the Finals.
Security around Madison Square Garden has significantly ramped up since Trump confirmed his attendance. Bags are not permitted inside the arena, and fans are being told to arrive no later than 6:30 p.m. ET to allow enough time to get through security before the 8:30 p.m. tip-off.
The perimeter around MSG has also been walled off, with a 10-block area closed to vehicles and foot traffic. Watch parties near the arena are not permitted, with alternative events set up at Bryant Park, Brooklyn Bowl and Central Park.
